UN contributes €2.6m to Gaza farmers

The European Union contributed €2.6 million to farmers in the Gaza Strip in support of the Palestinian Authority’s program “Private Sector Reconstruction Gaza -Agriculture”.

The EU contribution of €2.6 million marks 113 additional farmers and agro-businesses to relaunch, fix or replace destroyed businesses affected by the conflict. It protects a wide range of activities including the purchase of agricultural supplies, rehabilitation of land and water wells, and other small infrastructure works while integrating smart and adaptive agriculture techniques, stated an EU press release.

”The occupied Palestinian territory has a strong agricultural potential, especially in Area C and Gaza where farmers suffer the most from the consequences of the ongoing conflict and continuous attacks by either Israeli forces or settlers. I am impressed by the resilience of the Palestinian farmers on their lands, who proved their commitment and managed to create income-generating opportunities that support their families and the local economy”.

“This payment comes amid an ever-deteriorating situation for Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, and only a few days after the recent escalation in and around the Strip. A fundamental change to the political, security and economic situation in the Gaza Strip is needed, which includes the Palestinian Authority’s full resumption of its governmental functions in Gaza being an integral part of a viable, contiguous, and democratic future Palestinian state” the EU Representative Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff said.

The general financial envelope of the schedule amounts to €10.5 million. Up to date, the program targeted 375 Palestinian farmers and agro-businesses. The program was developed and executed by the Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture and the Palestinian Agriculture Disaster Risk Reduction and Insurance Fund. The prices are made by the Palestinian Authority’s Ministry of Finance through a web of local banks.